“I really pushed and fought for the Drax standalone film but I don’t think it’s ever going to happen,” Bautista said. “I really wish they would because I think there’s a story to be told there and I think the fans would really love to see that story, even if it’s not me portraying Drax, I just think it is an interesting story to tell.”

Bautista said Drax’s origins in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would make for a “beautiful story” that has been “lost and overlooked a little bit.” The character’s wife and daughter were killed by Ronan the Accuser prior to the first “Guardians” movie, which is the primary reason Drax joined the group since he was seeking revenge. The character was ready to take down Thanos in “Avengers: Infinity War” after it was revealed Ronan was acting under the Mad Titan’s orders.

“It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking emotional thing to know where that love for his family and that heartbreak over his family being lost and murdered, where it comes from I think,” Bautista said, arguing that a Drax standalone movie would deepen viewers’ understandings of the character’s emotional motivation.

Unfortunately, Bautista might not even want to play Drax anymore, even if Disney finally went ahead with the idea of a standalone movie. The actor has been the most vocal “Guardians” cast member to speak out against Disney for firing director James Gunn from the franchise after controversial jokes made on Twitter years ago resurfaced. Bautista has slammed Disney publicly for the decision, and even said he’s no longer sure he wants to work for the company.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” was expected to begin production at the start of 2019 but is now on hold indefinitely as Marvel and Disney spend time searching for Gunn’s replacement. Bautista can next be seen on the big screen in “Final Score,” in theaters September 14.